Chat box and alert box layout without covering gameplay

Chat and alerts are loud by design. Layout keeps them useful. If either sits on the action, viewers mute the hype and miss the game.

Treat chat and alerts as reserved zones in the overlay file. Empty holes in the art. Live widgets fill those holes in OBS.

1. Chat zone

• Pick left or right. Stick to it for the whole pack.
• Leave a tall, narrow safe column. Do not paint logos through it.
• Keep facecam out of the chat column unless you stream Just Chatting.

2. Alert zone

One corner for all alerts. Follow, sub, raid, and donation share that home so viewers learn where to look. Keep it clear of chat, cam, and game HUD.

• Top-center or opposite chat works for many layouts.
• Cap alert width so long names do not spill into gameplay.
• Hold 2 to 4 seconds. Clear the box before the next event.

3. Gameplay first checklist

1. Mark HUD-critical areas from a real VOD screenshot.
2. Place chat away from that HUD.
3. Place alerts away from chat and cam.
4. Preview at phone width on 1920×1080 output.
5. Fix overlaps before you add more decoration.

4. When widgets fight

Goal bars, timers, and guest cams need their own slots. If everything wants the bottom edge, drop the least important widget for that game. Discord is a good place to drop a layout screenshot for a quick pass.

Empty space is a feature. Crowded overlays feel smaller than they are.